I went to pray for the persecuted church.
Thinking…..God can use me. His purposes will change because I prayed.
But, reading, “The Heavenly Man”, as I curl up in bed at night before sleep…..
I got a different perspective of what persecution is and my entire mindset began to change.
Brother Yun says, “Embrace suffering like a friend.”
Don’t run from it. Or pretend that everything is alright.
Embrace it. It is a gift.
And I questioned…..
Suffering……A Gift?
And he went on…..
When we pray that the Chinese have it easy. Or comfortable. Or will be free from any obstacle type of Christianity….
We are taking away a gift….Of what the Lord wants to do in them.
Don’t pray these people out of prison. Pray that God will use them….
Right where they are at. In prison. Out of prison. Regardless of their circumstance.
And that their trials…..they will welcome them. That it will do the kind of work in them…..
To make them look…..more like Christ.
And I questioned these words.
Do not pray the Chinese out of prison? That even prison has a purpose?
Was Brother Yun saying, praying for ease can be imposing our will on the Chinese who are willing to die for their faith…..
By lessening their pain….are we taking away the fire that refines them?
Could this be?
Is it, we pray for Easy Christianity, because that is what we would want, if we were trapped inside that cell?
And, I keep on reading….
Persecution is an act of blessing to us.
And when we get to a place of maturity…..we can welcome it…..as such.
We can laugh. Have joy through it. And encourage our accusers more to…..
Inflict pain upon us.
Because in our suffering is witness…..that no perfect life can attain.
And I keep reading, “When suffering and pain increases….Sin decreases.”
And……
God will never pour out blessing on an unsanctified people…..a selfish flesh.
In the west…..we have no idea of what suffering is.
So, I confess.
I am not Brother Yun. I have no mighty strength to tell my afflictors……bring it on.
I am a pampered Christian….used to ease and comfort.
Yet, I recall the Bible telling something not so different from what, “The Heavenly Man” says…..
Rejoice when you are persecuted…..for great in heaven is your reward in heaven.
Consider it pure joy when you are confronted with trials of many kinds.
Blessed are you when you suffer, for righteousness sake.
And on and on it went.
The scripture of the pain that initiates The Comforter……to come near them.
And I know this is not Prosperity Preaching…..But the truth of the gospel….interpreted by man’s experience.
And, “great is your reward”. I contemplate these words…..
Striving to be more and more…..like Christ.
Holding firm…..
In hope that I will learn….
Suffering is a gift.
12 Comments
Oh Jen…such truth in these words…what a view of prayer…not to change the suffering…but to redeem it…may I pray this first and foremost for me…then for others…
Blessings to your weekend…
Sis, isn’t the Heavenly Man wonderful? So much to learn and take in. I pray to have faith like that. Through our Lord, Brother Yun has changed me somehow. I want more of HIM! God’s plan is so beautiful. Thank you for your post today.
Wow. Amazing post. Your theology is so full and so rich. So glad I found your blog.
Praise the Lord I love coming to your blog God bless
All the popular preachers who preach prosperity or the so-called health-and-wealth gospel are wrong. And to quote the late Rich Mullins: “they are wrong, they are not bad.., they’re just wròng”..
And YES, suffering càn be a gift, maybe the highest Gift there is; if you are willing to suffer, for the Lórd!…
I do live in ‘the West’, and I’m not brother Yun, but I know what suffering means.. And believe me: when you learn to know ànd obey Jesus, you will suffer, sooner or later. But Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken. I think because of the purifying of the heart.
thank you for this Good post!
beblessed,
Hans, Holland
I’ve not traveled to China (‘though I’ve lived in Japan and Europe), yet I’ve been understanding more and more how my comfortable-western-ways are a danger to my walk by the Spirit. I’m such a pampered child! It’s by His Grace, that I see Truth and complacency at all. Your post reminded of a scripture that says to rejoice in sufferings because WHEN, not if, His glory is revealed, we’ll be exceedingly glad with joy. What joys we are missing as Americans! “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12 and 13
Ells- “Redeeming the Suffering”….just those words….ring so beautiful in my ear! And isn’t that so what Christ died for…to redeem the suffering. Makes me so thankful for the precious blood of Jesus! Thanks for this Ells.
jds – Thanks for the recommendation. Life changing, indeed. The powerful paths of those gone before us…and what we can learn. Thanks, my sister! I love you!
Christan – So blessed by your continual reading…and your comments. You inspire me on… Such gratitude I have for this. Thank you!
Crystal – Thank you for coming by. Hope to see you back here often!
Hans – Thanks for your rich comment. “When you know Christ….sooner or later you will suffer”….the exact truth Brother Yun stated in his book. And oh, that suffering is the highest gift we could get….what a thought. I must take that and let it seep into my soul. So much to think about. Thank you!
Tammy – I so agree, my friend. It is by grace that we can see truth and complacency at all. Good stuff! Thank you!
Oh, that we may be partakers with Christ….and the fullness of His glory! Great feedback! How I love the depth of these comments! Thank you! ~ jen
What an enlightening post, Jen. I always find myself praying that God would eliminate suffering. Sometimes, I even question God why He allows suffering. This post gave me answers I was looking for.
God bless, my friend.
Irene
Irene – So glad you found what you needed. Most beautiful of all…His example of the cross. He taking on the most suffering in all…for our sake. What a beautiful gift! Blessings, my friend. ~ jen
you’re Welcome..
Romans 8:18,22-> I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.
We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.
Don’t be confused when you are in troubles, be rather confused when everything wents well…
Blessings, -Hans
“Don’t be alarmed when you are in trouble. Be alarmed rather, when everything goes well.” Such truth to this. Might we contend for the Faith boldly…as all of the earth groans….anticipating it’s Savior!